A dramatic Ferragosto in Ortona ( Chieti), where late yesterday evening, Sunday, August 16, a fire broke out behind the Aragonese Castle—the city’s symbol—during the fireworks display that was to conclude a local festival, the Feast of San Rocco, which is celebrated in the Porta Caldari neighborhood where the church dedicated to the saint is located; his liturgical feast day falls precisely on August 16. The fire likely started after sparks from the fireworks came into contact with the brush along the ridge behind the Aragonese Castle. That was enough to cause high flames to rise near the castle, which were even visible from the historic center.
The Ortona Fire Department immediately responded to the scene, along with several crews called in from Chieti and the Civil Protection Agency. The fire was extinguished shortly before 2 a.m. The cause of the fire remains unclear, but the most likely hypothesis at this time is that the fire was linked to the fireworks display. The city has announced that assessments are underway to accurately evaluate any damage to the Aragonese Castle and the areas affected by the flames.
According to *Il Messaggero*, the fire reportedly caused several injuries, with people suffering burns to their faces. The swift response of the fire department, which arrived just 15 minutes after the alarm was raised, prevented the situation from becoming even worse. For several years now, the fireworks for the Feast of St. Rocco have been launched from an area behind the Aragonese Castle, but this is the first time the festival has risked turning into a tragedy.
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| Fire Breaks Out During Fireworks Display; Flames Threaten the Aragonese Castle in Ortona |
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